The Celestial Law. D&C Section 88 and the Eternal Law of the Celestial Kingdom

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1 The Celestial Law The Eternal Law of God is the Law of all inhabitants of Celestial orbs. This includes principles such as Love, Truth, Justice, Mercy, Grace, Wisdom, Equity, Power, Glory, Obedience, Sacrifice, Consecration, Peace, Rest, Compassion, Forgiveness, Longsuffering, Humility, Meekness, Knowledge, Chastity, Holiness, Perfection, Faithfulness, Order, Kindness, Patience, and Joy. The individual Commandments of God are personal or group directions to assist in bringing about the salvation of man. These concern the details applicable to our conditions on earth and are based on the Eternal Law of God. These commandments can be specific to an individual or group to accomplish a specified task; i.e. preaching the gospel, building the Temple, the giving of funds etc. These commandments can be revoked (see D&C 56:4-5; 58:30-32.) The Eternal Laws of God can never be revoked. When an individual disobeys a commandment of God they are chastised. When they disobey an Eternal Law they are damned. The Law of the Celestial Kingdom is the Law of Christ. 3 Nephi 15:9-10: Behold I am the Law, and the Light. Look unto me and endure to the end, and ye shall live.behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my Commandments. And this is the Law and the Prophets, for they truly testified of me. D&C Section 88 and the Eternal Law of the Celestial Kingdom The glorious revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants Section Eighty Eight designated by the Prophet as the Olive Leaf plucked from the Tree of Paradise contains details of the Eternal Law of the Celestial Kingdom. D&C 88:20: That bodies who are of the Celestial Kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified. And they who are not sanctified through the Law which I have given unto you, even the Law of Christ, must inherit another Kingdom for he who is not able to abide the Law of a Celestial Kingdom cannot abide a Celestial Glory. As individuals live the Law of Christ they develop a Celestial Spirit D&C 88:28-29: They who are of a Celestial Spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the Celestial Glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. D&C 88:34-35: And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by Law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same. That which breaketh a law and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and 1

2 altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. D&C 88:36, 38-39: All kingdoms have a Law given.and unto every kingdom is given a Law; and unto every Law there are certain bounds ands conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified. D&C 88:42 And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a Law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons Section 132 also reveals the Importance of the Celestial Law of God The principles outlined in the following scriptures can be equally applied to all the Eternal Laws revealed by Heavenly Father to His people. D&C 132:11-12: And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by Law, even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was? I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment--that no man shall come unto the Father but by Me or by my Word, which is My law, saith the Lord. D&C 132:28: I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and my Father before the world was. D&C 132:24-25: This is Eternal Lives--to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, My Law. Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths; and many there are that go in there at, because they receive me not, neither do they abide in My Law. Once the Law has been revealed obedience is required or our progress is stopped D&C 132:3-4: Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this Law revealed unto them must obey the same. For behold, I reveal unto you a New and an Everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my Glory. D&C 132:53: For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice. Lack of obedience to the Law brings restrictions on further growth and development D&C 132:21: Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory... D&C 132:27: After ye have received My New and Everlasting Covenant. And he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord. D&C 132:17: For these angels did not abide my Law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged. 2

3 Obedience to the Law brings the Blessings: D&C 132:6: And as pertaining to the New and Everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the Fulness of my Glory; and he that receiveth a Fulness thereof must and shall abide the Law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God. D&C 132:48: And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on earth, by my Word and according to My Law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven. See v 59 D&C 132:64:.For I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my Law. Obedience to the law has a binding effect that is of full force after this life: D&C 132:19: Which is my Law, and by the New and Everlasting covenant. it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all Eternity... D&C 132:32-33: Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into My Law and ye shall be saved. But if ye enter not into my Law ye cannot receive the promise of my Father, which he made unto Abraham. The Lord explains the conditions of the Law so that it is clear to our understanding: D&C 132:7: And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these... There will be no exceptions to this Law because Heavenly Father is a God of Order: D&C 132:8-10: Behold, mine House is a House of Order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion. Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord that is not made in my name? Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed? see v 18 The Lord will only work through His appointed Celestial Laws which were given before the world was created. Our obedience is required to enable us to return Our Father in Heaven:- D&C 132:15, 18: Therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.. if that covenant is not by Me or by My Word, which is my Law.then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my House is a house of order, saith the Lord God. Anything in this world that is not appointed by the Word or Law of God will not remain after death: D&C 132:13-14: And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by Me or by My Word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after 3

4 men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God. For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed. Each Law of God is given for a wise purpose. For example the purpose of Plural Marriage: D&C 132:31: And by this Law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein He glorifieth Himself. D&C 132:34:.Why did she do it? Because this was the law. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises. D&C 132:37: And it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in My Law. Additional Scriptures on Obedience to the Law of God Obedience to the Laws of God show the depth of a person s Faith. D&C 42:2: Again I say unto you, hearken and hear and obey the Law which I shall give unto you. D&C 42:66: Ye shall observe the Laws which ye have received and be faithful. To be justified we need to keep the Law of God D&C 88:36, 38-39: All kingdoms have a Law given.and unto every kingdom is given a Law; and unto every Law there are certain bounds ands conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified. D&C 64:13-14: And this ye shall do that God may be glorified--not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the Law, that ye may not offend him who is your Lawgiver-- Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these things. Every Law of God is Important D&C 84:44-45: For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God; for the Word of the Lord is Truth, and whatsoever is Truth is Light D&C 98:11: And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4: But He answered and said It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God 4

5 Obedience to the Law of God brings forth the Blessings D&C 130:20-21: There is a Law irrevocably decreed in Heaven before the foundation of this world upon which all blessings are predicated; and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that Law upon which it is predicated. D&C 132:5: For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the Law which was appointed for that blessing and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the earth. See also D&C 132:6, 48, 64 as listed above D&C 82:10: I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when you do not what I say, ye have no promise. The Saints become the disciples of Christ by obedience to His Law D&C 42:5: He that receiveth my Law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you. Love for the Godhead is shown by being obedient to their Laws John 14:21, 23-24: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love Him and will manifest myself to Him If a man love me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love Him, and we will come unto Him, and make our abode with Him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father s which sent me. I John 2:3-5: And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoso keepeth His word in him verily is the Love of God perfected: herby know we that we are of Him see 2 John: 6 When the Law of God is Disobeyed progress is Stopped D&C 88:21-22: And they who are not sanctified through the Law which I have given unto you, even the Law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a Terrestrial kingdom, or that of a Telestial kingdom. For he who is not able to abide the Law of a Celestial Kingdom cannot abide a Celestial Glory. D&C 88:35: That which breaketh a law and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. The Saints are chastened when they fail to obey: D&C 105:6: And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be by the things which they suffer. 5

6 The Challenge and Consequence of Obedience and Disobedience set forth D&C 103:5-8: But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree, which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them. Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour. And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever. But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them. None are exempt from the requirements of Obedience to the Law of God D&C 107:84: Thus, none shall be exempted from the Justice and the Laws of God that all things may be done in order.according to truth and righteousness. These Words of the Saviour on the Sermon of the Mount refer to His Law Matthew 7:24-27: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not -it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it. See also 3 Nephi 14:27 The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ-The New and Everlasting Covenant The New and Everlasting Covenant spoken of in the Doctrine and Covenants is the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. D&C 66:2: Verily I say unto you, blessed are you for receiving mine Everlasting Covenant, even the Fulness of my Gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old. see D&C 133:57; D&C 1:22-23 The New and Everlasting Covenant comprises all the laws, commandments and ordinances of the Gospel. It is made up of individual covenants which are each referred to as a New and Everlasting Covenant. Baptism, the Priesthood, the United Order, and Plural marriage for example are all referred to as covenants that must be obeyed to receive Eternal Glory. Each covenant is also a standard of the Lord and an essential preparation for the Second Coming. D&C 45:9: And even so I have sent mine Everlasting Covenant into the world, to be a Light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a Messenger before my face to prepare the way before me. Concerning individual commandments to individuals the Lord has said: 6

7 D&C 82:8-9: And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you; or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation. The Law of God is found in the Scriptures D&C 1:6: And my preface unto the Book of my Commandments which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. D&C 42:59-60 : Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a Law to be my Law to govern my church; and he that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue. D&C 42:28: Thou knowest my laws concerning these things are given in my scriptures. He that sinneth and repenteth not shall be cast out. D&C 104:58-59: Even to print my words, the fullness of my scriptures, the revelations which I have given unto you.for the purpose of building up my Church and Kingdom on the earth, and to prepare my people for the time when I shall dwell with them,which is nigh at hand. D&C 20:69: That there may be works and faith agreeable to the Holy Scriptures D&C 20:80: Any member of the church transgressing or being overtaken in a fault, shall be dealt with as the scriptures direct see D&C 64:12 We need to Rely upon the Things that are Written in the Scriptures D&C 18:3-5, 30: And if you know that they (things that are written) are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment that you rely upon the things which are written; for in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock. Wherefore if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you and you have that which is written before you; wherefore, you must perform it according to the words which are written (See also D&C 32:4; 84:5) D&C 32:4: And they shall give heed to that which is written and pretend to no other revelation; and they shall pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding The Church is to be Governed by the Law of God D&C 41:2-4: I give unto you a commandment that ye shall assemble yourselves together to agree upon my word; and by the prayer of faith ye shall receive my Law, that ye may know how to govern my church, and have all things right before me.and ye shall see that my Law is kept. See D&C 42:59-60 listed above 7

8 D&C 42:2: Again I say unto you, hearken and hear and obey the Law which I shall give unto you. D&C 42:66: Ye shall observe the Laws which ye have received and be faithful. D&C 43:8-11: And now behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my Law and Commandments, which I have given. And thus ye shall become instructed in the Law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received.that inasmuch as ye do this, glory shall be added to the kingdom which ye have received. Inasmuch as ye do it not, it shall be taken even that which ye have received. D&C 51:2: For it must needs be that they be organized according to my Laws; if otherwise, they will be cut off. D&C 58:23: Behold the Laws which ye have received from my hand are the Laws of the Church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth, Behold here is wisdom. Zion can only be built by the Law of the Celestial Kingdom D&C 105:4-5: And are not united according to the union required by the Law of the Celestial Kingdom; and Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the Law of the Celestial Kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. Scriptures Used in this study D&C 1:6; 18:3-5, 30; 20:69; 20:80; 32:4; 41:2-4; 42:2; 42:5; 42:28; 42:59-60; 42:66; 43:8-11; 45:9; 51:2; 56:14-15; 58:23; 64:12; 64:13-14; 66:2; 82:8-9; 82:10; 84:44-45; 88:21-22; 88:35; 88:34-36, 38-39; 88:42; 98:11; 103:5-8; 104:58-59; 105:6; 107:84; 130:20-21; D&C 132 (extracs only as perttains to Law) 132:3-4, 5, 6, 7, 8-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24-25, 27, 31, 32-33, 37, 48, 53, 59, 64, Bof M 3 Nephi 15:9-10; Matthew 4:4; 7:24-27; John 14:21, 23-24; 1 John 2:3-5; 8